Muthupandi Shines with Silver at Commonwealth Games 2026
Raja Muthupandi had a fantastic day for India, winning a silver medal in the men’s 65 kg weightlifting category at the Commonwealth Games 2026, held in Glasgow on Sunday. Muthupandi achieved an impressive total of 286 kg in both the snatch and clean and jerk rounds, securing second place behind Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed, who set a new games record to clinch gold.
Commonwealth Games 2026: Day 3 Highlights
Bidin dominated the competition with a total lift of 299 kg, showcasing a strong performance in both rounds. However, Muthupandi kept the pressure on, solidifying his place near the top. Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru fought hard for the bronze, but couldn’t complete his final lift in the clean and jerk round, allowing Muthupandi to take the silver. Earlier in the day, India had already seen success with Mirabai Chanu’s gold and Rishikanta Singh’s silver, boosting the country’s overall weightlifting medal count to four.
This silver medal marked a significant achievement for Muthupandi, especially after facing various challenges and setbacks in his career.
Muthupandi’s Journey of Resilience
Raja Muthupandi’s rise in the weightlifting world has been a story of perseverance. He first shined at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships, winning both gold and silver. He continued to build his reputation by claiming national titles in 2019 and 2022, establishing himself as a key competitor for India.
His journey hit a rough patch in 2019 when he suffered a ligament injury during the Commonwealth Championships, which required surgery and kept him out of action for a while. Although he returned to competition in 2021 with a third-place finish at the National Championships, he narrowly missed qualifying for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Not one to be easily discouraged, Muthupandi bounced back with determination. In 2024, he broke the national record in the 61 kg category with a lift of 289 kg and earned silver at the Commonwealth Championships with a lift of 296 kg the following year. He also achieved his personal best of 299 kg at the World Championships in Forde, Norway, finishing ninth in the 65 kg category, further solidifying his status as one of India’s leading weightlifters and a strong candidate for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were especially meaningful for Muthupandi, as he finally made his long-anticipated debut on this grand stage after years of struggle.
On Sunday, the competition seemed like a thrilling battle between Muthupandi and Bidin, both aiming for the highest weights. Although Muthupandi stumbled in his first snatch attempt, he rebounded with a strong lift of 126 kg. As the rounds progressed, he faced tough competition, particularly from Bidin, who took an early lead with lifts of 130 and 133 kg.
The excitement continued into the clean and jerk round, where Muthupandi attempted a challenging lift of 158 kg but decided to push himself even further with 160 kg, setting a momentary games record. Unfortunately, Bidin secured gold with lifts of 162 kg and then 166 kg, prompting Muthupandi to attempt a formidable 170 kg lift, which he was not able to complete.
Looking ahead, India is eager to expand its medal tally as Bindyarani Devi, Valluri Ajaya Babu, and Gyaneshwari Yadav prepare for their upcoming events on Monday.
